Starter for internal-combustion engines.



G. 1. SPOHRER. STMLTER. POR WTBRNAL GOMBUSTION BNGiNEs. APPLLCA'l'lON MLM) JANJQ. 1914,

Patented Mar. 16, 1915 5 SHEETSSHBBT 1.

Jg ATTORNEYS G. J. SPOHRER. R FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION APPLICAUON ULEB JAN.

ENGINES.

ST ARTE Patented Mar, 16, 1915- 5 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

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lll/4 l.-

l Ill/[Ill Greyoly WTNESSES M j wn/4% G. 5'. SPOHRER.

STARTER FOR XNTERNAL GOMBUSHGN ENGXNESl APPLXCATON FILED JANJZ, NUL

Patelmed Mar. 16, 191.5.

n :ivi/Enron (irl/Iyar? 1f. Jjvolzrw- TTORNEYS G. J. SPOHRBR. STARTEN NON INTERNAL ooMNusTroN ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED 11511.12, 1914.

1,1 32,224. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHBETS"SHBET 4.

w/T/vEsSEs /NvENToR Greywy J ,iva/rer BY W* TTORNE YS G. J. SPOHRBR. GR INTERNAL coMusmoN .Hmmm

STARTER Y Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED PAFENT OFFICE.

GREGORY JOHN SPOHRER, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND 'MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 MOTOR CMPRESSOR COMPANY, 0F WILMINGTON, DELA- WARE, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARL,

STARTER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

Application filed January 12, 1914. Serial No. 811,579.

T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, (imcoonY J. Sronunn, aV citizen ot the United States, and a resident of lil-ast. lrange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Starter for internal Combustion Engines, of which the i'ollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention has for its object to provide a starter which may be used on all types of internal combustion engines. but which is particularly useful tor starting an automobile engine from the dri vens seat ot' the automobile by means of a master pneumatic valve. l

Another object of the inventionv to provide a compound motor for rotating thc cngine shaft for starting the engine. this mo tor heilig adapted to be driven b v the internal combustion engine tor acting as a compound pump to compress air in a tanlvV l'or use in subsequently starting the engine.

Still another objectot the invention is to provide means tor conveying the compressed air from the tank directly to all the motor cylinders so that 'in emergencies and when the greatest power is required. the motor will act as one of a simple. type and not as one of a compound type, it being at thc same time possible to change the tlow ot' the air while the motor is running, so that the air will exhaust Yfrom the high pressure c vlinders to the lo\v pressure cylinders and the motor will act as a compouid one.

Still another object ot the invention is to provide means for driving the shatt oi' the convertible motor-coim'ircssbr in one direction from the engine shattovhen thc latter is rotating*I in its normal direction and Vfor causing the motorcompressor, when operating as a motor with its shaft rotating in the opposite direct ion. to drive the engine shaft in the said normal direction.

Still other objects ot the invention will appear in the following specification in which the preferred form of my invention is described.

In the drawings similar reference characters refer to similar parts in all the views in which- Figure 1 is a sectional view on the line 1--1 of Figure 2; Fig. :2 isla sectional plan View on the line i2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a liltional view on the line of Fig. Q;

Fig. is a sectional View on the line 4-4 of 111g. 2: l* ig. I; 1s ar sectional vlew on the line '5-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. (i is a view showing the ram on the line 6--6 of Fig. 2, and also showing a sectional elevation of the master valve; Fig. T is a sectional view on the line T-T ot Fig. 8 showing the transmission member; Fig. 8 is a sectional View on the line Sm* of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line Sl-Wl ot Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a' view showing in elevation the collar for operating the pins, the pins being shown in sections.

In order to economize elort in the use of internal combustion engines, it is advisable to provide a mechanical starter Which Will act whenever' required and one which Will be inexpensive to operate and maintain in working condition.

The use otl compressed air as a starting medium has been proposed heretofore, but the devices provided for this purpose involving motor mechanism for driving the engine shaft and compressor mechanism for furnishing a supply of compressed air have not been considered satisfactory. If of sutilciently light weight and simplicity of construction to adapt them tor use on motor vehicles. they have not been capable of starting an engine ot' suiiieiently large size or of compressing air to the desired high degree.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a convertible motor-compressor consisting of a single device which Will operate both as a motor to drive the engine shaft and as a compressor to compress air, this single device being of very light Weight, small size and simple construction and at the same time being capable of'starting an engine of relatively large size and of compressing air to such a high degree as will permit of starting the engine a plurality of times between successive compressing operations. To this end, the convertible motorcompressor is of the compound type as with such a compound compressor, air may be readily compressed to a relatively high degree. The device also operates as a compound motor when employed for starting the engine. Means are provided, however, tor enabling the motor to operate as a simple motor rather than a compound one when starting an engine, this capacity for runshaft of the motor-compressor will ning as a simple motor being specially desirable since the motor must start up under a hea\y load and at times, the parts ofthe moltor may be in such position at the instant of 1)starting as would prevent the pressure of the motive fluid from being effective to the kfull extent. The mechanism by which provision is made for starting the compound motor as a simple motor is such as will permit of changing over from simple operation to compound operation readily and prac` -tically instantaneously so thatimmediately after starting the motor driving the engine shaft as a simple motor, the operation may be continued with the motor running cornpound. The mechanism for operating the motor either simple or compound is so constructed that not only is air at the full pressure introduced into the low pressure cylinder and exhausted therefrom, but also the Vhigh pressure air introduced into the high pressure cylinder is exhausted from that cyl-v inder to the atmosphere when the motor is running a simple motor instead of being exhausted into the low pressure cylinder as it is when the motor is operated as a compound motor.

.Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of special means for connecting the motor-compressor to the en# gine shaft. The shaft of a gas engine,par ticularly such a gas engine as is commonly employed to drive a motor vehicle, rotates always in the same direction. I have found it desirable, however, in the interest of simplicity of construction, light weight and efliciency of operation, that the shaft of the motor-compressonshould turn in one direction when the device is operating as a motor, and in the opposite direction when it is operating as a compressor. I have, therefore, provided a connecting mechanism between the shaft of the motor-compressor and the shaft of the engine whereby the turn in one direction to drive the engine shaft and whereby the shaft of the motorvompressor will turn in the opposite direction when the cngfne shaft is driving the motor--con1- pressor as a motor. In the preferred ein 4 bodiment. of the4 invention, the changes in the gearing connecting the shaft of the intr tor-co1npressor and the engine shaft necessary to cause these two shafts to operate in the same direction when one of them is the driving member and in opposite directions when the other is the driving member are preferably effected automatically. This auomatic operation of the gearing may be ef fected in various ways, for instance, either pneun'iatically or mechanically, a pneumatic means being shown in the present instance.

By referring to the drawings it will be seen that a casing 12 is provided: and that one end of the shaft 13 is journaled in roller gear 24, but also with the earings 14 in the casing 12. The other end 15 of this shaft 13 as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and E) of the drawings is journaled in the roller hearings 16 and disposed within the sleeve 17 which forms a continuation of the casing 12. This shaft. 13 is provided with cranlzsslb which are connected with piston rodsli) in a, manner which will be subsequently described. Mounted forrotation on the sleeve 1l is a plate 2O and mounted on the plate 20 by means Yof the pins 21 are three pinions 2L, these pinions 22 being best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Meshing with these pinions there is a gear 23 which is mounted on the end 15 of the shaft 13. These pinions 22 not only mesh with the gear 23 on the end 15 of the shaft 13, but they also mesh with the internal gear 24 on the drum 25, this drum 25 having an inwardly directed ortion 26 and a bearing portion 2? monnteg on the sleeve 17 at the inner side of the plate 20. It will be understood that both the plate 2() and the drum are held in rotary position by the sleeve 17 and that both the plate 20 and the drum 25 are free to rotate on the said sleeve. This drum is connected with the internal combustion engine shaft 28 by means of the sprocket chain. 29 which engages the sprocket teeth 30 on the drum 25 and the sprocket teeth on the internal combustion engine shaft 28. In this manner the drum is connected with the engine shaft 28 at all tin the drum 25 will be rotatedwhen the cnw ne shaft is running and the engine shaft 28 will he rotated. by the drum 25 when the latter is operated to start the internal combustion engine.

When the shaft 28 of the internal combustion engine .is rotating under normal conditions, the parts of the transmission mechanism will be in the position indicated in Fig. 7 of Ithe drawings. But when it is desired to operate the der v as anair compressor, the pins 32, which are disposed in the bushings in the orifices 34 in the inwardly directed. portion 2G of the drum 25, will he moved into the orifices 35 in the plate 2O to connect the plate 2O with the drinn 25, so that the plate 2O will be rotated with the drum 25 by means of the sprocket teeth and chain `which have been described As the plate 2O rotates with the drum 25, the pinions 22 will be held by the inner gear 24 from rotating on their pins 2l, and as the pinions not only mesh with the inner gear 23 on the end 15 of the shaft 13, the shaft 15 will be rotated in the saine direction as the drum 25. In this way the device will be operated 'as a connuressor to compress air in shown in big. (i the drawings.

The means for operating the pins BZis shown fs. (5. 7. 8, 9 and 10. ofthe drawings. Y dy referring, to Fig. Tof. the..

the tank 36- drawings, it will be seen that the pins 32 have heads 37 which are disposed in the an nular channel 38 of the collar 39, the collar 39 having an annular slot 40 through which the pins extend. It will, therefore, be seen that with the rotation of the drum the pins 32 Will be carried around the axis of the shaft 13, the heads 37 of the pins 32 traveling in the annular channel SS and the annular slot 40. The collars 3%) has radially disposed lugs 41 which extend into inclined guideways 42 in an extension 43 of the cas 12, and when the collar 39 rotated it w1 lbe thrust forward or rearward to move the pins 32 into or out oi'.E the oritices 35 in the plate 20 as may be desired. (lne of the lugs 41 has secured to it a lever li h v means of which the collar 3f) may he rotated manually as desired. It should be understood that in the ordinary operation of the device the collar 39 will be rotated by means of the ram or plunger 45 which is controlled by the operator through the master valve lo.

Vhen the device is used to rotate the shaft 28 'to start the internal combustion engine, it is of course, necessary to rotate the shaft 13, and by means of the transmission ynccinrA niSm, the drum 25, which is connected with the engine shaft 28 by the sprocket teeth and chain previously described.

The convertible motor-compressor is so constructed that when used as a motor, its shaft rotates in one direction and when used as a. compressor, its shaft rotates in the op posite direction. But since the engine sha it 28 turns always in the same direction, it is necessary, when using the motor-coiupressor as a motor, that the shaft 13, turninfy in one direction, should drive the drum 2o in the opposite direction. This is accomplished by providing the plate 2O with a plurality oi elongated tangentially disposed slots ft?, these slots 47 extending to the sleeve 17. ln the slots are rollers 48 which, with the slots 47 and the sleeve 17, form a ratchetI means for permitting the rotation of the plate 2O in one direction while preventing the rota-- tion of the plate 2O in the opposite ,liree tion. With the rotation of the shaft 13 and its end l5 in the reverse direction, the gear 23 which engages the pinion 22, will rotate the pinions and the plate 20 on which they are mounted with the shaft 13 until the. plate is bound by the engagement of thel rollers 48 with the sides of the slots L'i7 and the sleeve 17. This will prevent Yfurther rotation of the plate 20, and as the shaft 13, with itsend 15, continues to rotate, it will rotate the pinions 22, on their pi ntles 21 so as to rotate the drum 25 in its normal direction as is desired. As the engine sha'it 2,8 is rotated with the rotation of the drum 25 and the sprocket teeth and chain, it will tend to start-the internal combustion engine, and with .the `running of the internal conn shaft 121i, the piiif-ns it'. be rotatezi bv the inner gear :non the gear :i3 to move the plate om, et binding engage ment with the rol iti and the. sleeve i7, the plate 20 therrliv being; permitted to rotate. The suppiv nl' rompre-s ir llowing to the starter devinignr incl be cnt oft' and the tank fli naiv be urged in the which i f fit-fx-r'hrrl. ()r |iii i.; e satiicient it the internal conn lon engine smmfil i i f ln the plate .u are channels if? an which are disposed springs .30, amin A .-2 piling il which engage the roller ii holdin the rollers '1S yirldingly .in ti ii normal position. The

drum 2i' has a terminal ol' the also being i i x in which ihn ai l'mciosing the und if. the drinn )5 roller brun-ings 525 tinsl'iaft joursialrd hewn@ ',.he :alla t .is by the means which will now la' iff-wi. wlirr the device iS used io sieri. the irreal ro:ni.in;-.tion engine. the said means aise i; wiuprcssor which n driven by the s ifi to connu-ess and store, air in the n. (n referring to Fig. l olf the drm' it will la' seen that a imperialnouer provided for rotating the shalt' i, this mniponnd motor serving as a, -foiupiessor nin-n required. The motor has two l; ljh prtA :re rylinrlers 5l and tno low pressure vlnders 53?). there he ingv u piston Si) in rarh ot the high pressure cylinders and pisten i7 in each of the low pressure ci iindrrs. lai-h of the pistons 56 has a ronrare herring surface 53, against whirh is ifliapwel ilu: :banded head hi) of the piston rowlj Eil, cath iii' the rounded heads Titi being hel-:l against the hearing surface by nir-.ans ot' 'ti iii-r tt) which has an outer threadV i i nic# thread il? ai the lov, pi.- iion ol' each ofthe pistons (itl. The. nwniiu #5U has au opening (13 which divergw nui hardly so that the pisw ton may haie ample room for i'ree movement as the :trahit ld rotatrs. lin a similar manner the liv. prf 5 pistons 37 in each ot the inw pr cave bearing` against which is disposed a rounded (3.2 of a piston rod the rounded head ii lining held against the` concave hearing surfant* til liv a member 6i which correspoinls with the member G0,

Flach of the high pressure cyliiiders 54- has a port G8 and of the. low pressure cylinde-rs Se has a port eil, the ports G8 opening into the valve clianiber and the ports 69 opening into the valve chamber 71 A rockn 'e raflimlers 5C, has a con llt ing valve 72 lis disposed in the valve chamber and a rocking valve 73 is disposed in the valve chamber 71. Each of the vaives 72 and 73 has a central exhaust passage 74 and an annular inlet passage 75. The exhaust passages 74 are adapted to communicate with the ports 68 and 69 in the cylinders 54 and 55 by means of valve ports 76 at the sides of which thev valves 72 and 73 have exten sions 77 which engagethe sides of the valve chambers 70 and 7l and prevent comrnunication between the annular inlet 75 and the exhaust passages 74. The port 76 in the valve 72 which communicates with one of the high pressure cylinders 54, not only serves to communicate with the high pressure cylinders 54 through the port 68 thereni, but it also serves to communicate with the port 78 in the valve chamber 70 to connect the exhaust passage 74 in the valve 72 with the exhaust passage 79,' leading around the valve chamber 70 to the port 80. In the same manner one of the ports 76 of the valve 73, not only serves to communicate with one of the low pressure cylinders 55 through its port 69, but it also serves to communicate with the port 81, leading to the exhaust passage 82 around the valve chamber 752 to the port 83.

lWhen the motor is used to start the internal combustion engine. the compressed air flows to the valve chamber 75 through the pipe 84 and with the rocking of the valve '72, by the means which will shortly be described, the compressed air will be fed through the port 68 to the high pressure cylinders 54 to operate the pistons 56, the exhaust passing through the ports 68 and 76, to the exhaust passage 74, and from the exhaust passage 74 through one of the ports 76, the port 78, the passage 79 and to the port '80. The exhaust from the high pressure cylinders will then pass through a hollow portion 85 of the valve member 86 to the port 87 of the valve member through the said port 87 to the port 88 in the casing to the passage 89 in the c sing and to the port y90 in the casing, lead ng to the valve chambers 71 around the vallve 73. The conipressed air, which has been' exhausted from the high pressure cylinders 54, will then be fed to the low pressure cylinders 55 by means of the rocking valve 73 which will permit the air to pass at the sides4 of the extension 77 to the port 69, the air passing therethrough to act against the pistons 57, the air then passing through the port 69 to the exhaust passage 74 and then from the exhaust passage 74 through oe of the ports 76to the passage 82 and the port 83, the air then passing to the mufller compartment 91 and the exhaust 92, it being understood that when the device is vused as a compressor, the exhaust 92twill act as an inlet. With the normal' running of the device to start the internal combustion engine, the air will pass in the manner which has been described, and the valves 72 and 73 will be rocked by the eccentric 93 on the shaft 13 by the cranks 94 on the valve members 72 and 73.

Experiments have shown that at certain times much greater power is required to start internal combustion engines than at other times, and as a means of obtaining this, additional-power valve mechanism is provided which will convert the motor from one of a compound type to one of a simple type. 'T his result is obtained in a very simple manner by moving the valve 86 until the port 87 communicates with the port 95 in the casing leading to the mufiler compartment 91, this movement of the valve 86 closing the port 88 and opening a port 96 which communicates with the passage 89, the closing of the port 88 and the opening of the port 95 permitting the exhaust from the high pressure cylinders 54 to pass direct t0 the muiller compartment 91, the exhaust from the high pressure cylinders being pre-` vented from reaching the passage 89 be cause ofthe closing of the port 88. The valve 86 is held yieldingly in a normal position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings by the i spring 99, but when it is desired to convert the motor from a compound one to a motor ot' a simple type, air is permitted to How through the pipe or conduit to the port 10;', this air acting against the surfaces 102, 103 and the wall 97 ot' the valve to move the. valve 86 to close the port y88 and open the ports 05 and 96, the air from the port 101 then ilowing through the port 96, the passage 89 and the port 90 to act directly 0n the pistons in the cylinders 55. W'hen the passage of air through the conduit or pipe' 100 is cut off, the spring 99 will `return the valve 86 to the normal position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The passage of air through the pipes or conduits 84 and 100, is controlled by the master valve 46, and this master valve 46 also serves to control the operation of the ram 45, air being conveyed from the masterl lvalve 46 to the ram 45 by meansof the conduit or pipe 104 which is preferably flexible so that it will not interfere with the move` ment of .the ram 45 in p ram 45 having a rounded head 106 journaled in its bearing 105. The pipe orv conduit 104 passes through an opening 107 inthe bean ing and into the opening 108 in the head 106, the air 108 down the opening 109 to the 110 with which the ram is provided. is plunger 110 is held vieldingly in the position shown in Fig'. 6 of the-drawings b means of the spring 111. The plunger 11 which is secured to the rod ed head 113 which is journaled'in a rounded bearing 114 at the ba'ae of the .lever it-Lie" "e its bearing 105, the` I' i passing through this o enng pun en,

iai? 'y 112 aas a roundeach other.

Vhen the air in the tank 36 is compressed even slightly, the operation et the device may be controlled at the master valve L16, this master valve 46 having a central channel 115 which communicates with the pipe 116 leading to the tank 86. r1`his channel 115 has a seat 117 against which the valve member 118 may be seated to prevent any escape of air from the tank 30. This valve member 118 is operated by the valve spindle having thereon an operating lever 120.

Vhen the valve member 118 is raised from the seat 117 and the rotary valve member 123 is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6 ot' the drawings, the air is permitted to iow through the passage 121 to the safety valve member 122. The master valve 4G has an other port 124 which crmmunicates with the conduit or pipe Si and a port 125 which communicates with the conduit or pipe 100. The port 124 in the master-valve is connect` ed to the passage 121 by a short conn cting passage 151 shown in Figs. 2 and 6, 1n ad'- dition the master valve has a port 120 which communicates with the pipe or conduit 101 and an exhaust port 127 communicating with the atmosphere. The rotary valve member 123 has ports 128 and 129 which lead from the valve seat 117, these ports 128 and 129 being extended at right angles to The rotary valve member 123 also has a passage 130 l'or connecting the ports 126 and 127 when the rotary valve member 123 is in the pvsition shown in the drawings. Secured to the rotary valve mem- Der 123 a sleeve .131 through which the valve spindle extends, the liand'lever 1212 be ing secured to the sleeve 131 'for rotating the rotary valve member 123. The hand lever 132 may be lo'cked relatively to the casing of the master rvalve 40 by the means shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings or in any other suitable manner.

Vhen using the device for the first time.` and before alr has been compressed in the tank 30, the internal comluistion engine is started by a crank secured to the shaft 28. When the engine is running. the hand lever 41 is operated to rotate the collar 21.) with the lugs L11 lying -in the inclined guideways 42 to move the collar 3!) longitudinally ot the axis of the shaft 13 for carrying the pins 32 into the orifices 35 in the plate 20. his will lock the plate 20 for rotation with the drum 25, and as the pinions 22, which are mounted on the plate 20. are prevented jfrom rotating, they will rotate the shaft 13 by means of tl gearing 2?) secured to the end 15 thereof. lVith this rotation of the shaft 13, the pistons 5G and 57 will be reciprocatcd to force air through the conduit or pipe 81 to and through the master valve 46 and through the pipe or conduit 116 to the tank 36. During the reciprocation of the pistons 56 and .57, the valve members 72 and 73T will be rocked by means of, the eccentric rods and cranks u hich have been described. During the compression of air in the storage tank 230, the rotary valve ,member 123`should be in a position where the port 128 will coinmunieate with the port 120. This is desired so that as the pressure increases in the tank 36, this pressure may be exerted on the piston 110 through the pipe or conduit 10-1. The air forced through the pipe 8l will pass through the poit 124 and around the passage 131 to the passage 121, and from this passage 121 through the port 129 to the pipe or conduit 116. When'thc pressure in the tank 5G has increased to a pre-determined point. any excess thereof will be permitted to escape by the safety valve member 123. To prevent any further pumping of the air and forcing it into the tank 30, the chauft'eur forces the valve 118 against its seat 117 to close the passages 115 leading to the pipe or conduit 11G. The rotary valve member 123 is then rotated by means ot the hand lever Y132 to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. where the passage 130 in the rotary valve member 123`r connects the ports 120 and 127 to permit the air. which has been acting ag iinst the piston 110 to escape to the atmosphere, XVhen this has taken place. the spring 111 will force the piston 110 to the position shown in Fig. (i of the drawings thereby rotating the collar 39 to theI position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings and v ithdrau ing the pins 32 from the oriliccs 35. li; will be understood that when there is any eompressiul airl in the tank 36, it is unnecessary to operate the hand lever "it to move the collar 39 in the manner described. for by rotating the rotary valve member li. to a position where its port 128 communicates with the port 120, compressed air will be pern'iitted to flow to the ram 45 and against the piston 110 to rotate the collar 230.

Io use the device to start the internal combustion engine, thel rotary valve member 123 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings` and the valve member 11S is raised from its seat 117. The air will then (low through the pipe 84 to the valve chamber to operate the motor. Otten times in starting the device it necessary to exert an unusual force. and when this is desired, the rotary valve member 123 may be moved so that its port 1251 will communicate not only with the port 12h but also with the port 125. This will convey air to the Valve chamber 75 and it will also convey air to the port 101 through the pipe or conduit 100l to operate the valve H6 to close the port 88 and open the ports` 05 and 90 so that the motor will act as one of a simple type. It will be Seen that the chauleur by operating the master valve 1th may control the operation of the device so as to cause it to act as a compressor, to act ans a compound motor or to act as a simple motor. when the deiice is acting as a simple niotor, not only is high pressure air admitted to the low pressure cylinders, but also the high preseuu'e cylinders are caused to exhaust to atmosphere hr stead olf to the receiver from which air passes to the low i'iressnre cylinfie Having thus described my intention I claim as new and desixey to secure l y Letters Patent:

1. In a starter for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylinder, a. second cylinder, means for conveying a fluid under pressure to the first cylinder, sage for conveying the exhaust of the first cylinder to an inlet of the second cylinder, and pneumatic means for closing the passage between the cylinders and supplying the inlet of the second cylinder direct with the fluid under pressure.

2. In a starter for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a second cylinder, a piston, means for conveying a fluid under pressure to the first cylinder, there being a passage for conveying the exhaust from the first cylinder to :in inlet in the second cylinder, a valve memlrer for closing thc passage and for opening conununimit i to the second cylinder and means for conveying a fluid under rcssure to the valve member for operating the latter, and for supplying the passage therewith.

3. In a starter for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylinder, a pis ton for acting therein, a, second cylinder, a piston for acting therein, a shaft, means for Connecting the pistons to the shaft. means for conveying a, duid under pressure to the first cylinder. a casing having a port lead- ,ing from the exhaust to the first cylinderqto a second port leading to the atmosphere, a third port leading to :zn inlet in the second Cylinder, a fourth port leading to die inlet of the second cylinder, a valve for normally closing the second and fourth ports with the first and third. ports open. and means for con reying a Huid under pressure to the valve to close the third mentioned, port and open the second and fourth mrmioocd por i.

4. In a starter for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylinder, a piston in theI cylinder, a second cilinder. a piston, means for conveying a, fluid under pres`-` sure to the first cylinder, a casing lim'incga port leading from the exhaust of the first cylinder, there being in the ing' f1 port leading to the atmosphere, a thuz port lead ing from the first port to an' intr-t in the second cylinder, and a fourth port leading t04 an inlet in the second no' menus for conveying a fluid under pw re to the fourth mentioned port. a w t normally closing the second and fourth mentioned ports and 'operable under pressure of the fluid for closing the third port and opening the second and fourth ports.

5. In a starter for internal combustion enu gincs, the combination of a cylinder, a piston therein, a second cylinder, a piston in the second cylinder, a shaft, means for conn-ect ing the pistons to the shaft. a casing having a guideway with a port leading thereto from the first cylinder, a second port leading 'to the atmosphere, a third port leading to an inlet in the second mentioned cylinder, and a fourth port leading to the said inlet in the second mentioned cylinder, a valve in the guideway for normally closing the second and fourth mentioned ports for opening communicirtion between the first and third mentioned ports, a spring for holding the valve in a normal position,`and communieating means to operate the latter and to close the third port and open the second and fourth mentioned ports to open communica tion between the first and second ports and from the communicating means to the fourth mentioned port.

6. In a starter for internal combustion engines, the combination of a vconvertible air compressor and motor device having two cylirnlcrs, a pneumatic means for converting the device, a conduit lending to the pneumatie means, a second conduit leading to one.

of the cylinders, a third conduit connecting the exhaust of the last mentioned cylinder with the inlet of the other for closing the third conduit, a fourth cofnduit for conveying a Huid under pressure for operating the valve and to a tank communicating with the first, second and fourth conduits, and a master valve for commanding communication through the tlf-st. second and4 fourth conduits;

A starter for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a multi cylinder-,convertible motor-compressormcch- :mism having a shaft which turns in one di-` rection when said mechanism ,is operated as a motor and in the opposite direction when said mechanism is operated as av compressor, 'i second shaft adapted to drive and be driven bj.' said shaft, a tank connected' to said'mechanisin, a valve in the conncction'froin the the said inlet,

cylinder, a valve A License tank to said mechanisnn in@ .is for clianging said mechanism. when ohci-ating as n motor, from a compound motor to ,i simple iuotor and vice versa, means cufnimztuia' said shafts for siinnllainanf otaiion in the saine direction, and m connecting said shafts through `ll gearing toi simultaneous rotation iz' opposite- 'iirectionsg substantially as described,

9, A starter for an intvnai cuniliusiuii engine comprising iin'- l anbination of a multi-cylindezx conrcri motor-compressor mechanism operating' in o dirccion as a motor and in the tipps-faite (lie'ectimi as :i compressor, a tank confwchw to said mechanism. a sha fi ad: i ifi he c 'imi to sail `icarhanien! to lawn and to pncuinaiically von, dica im, ir net-zing said hait lo me #im il o, nisrn l'or siiuiiliancous oiwraiioii in the same direction. gearing; im connwl. l sli-,lits through spec-il-rmlin' and reversing gears for simullaiwoul: ogin ciiposite directions, saire nnclian inection iii tin s* from the tank to sai-,l iwchaizif--m 'io causingv compound op' "ation oi sani um nii-ni :is a

i'fir @per motor and in ans mechanisn'i to ca ate as a simple motor :fr the tank to all cylinders and exhaustiin;v 'the air irma ai? v i' ders to the atmosphere; i 1:; scribed.

l(l A storici for :in inn-2 engine como ing the multi-ryUnder7 convex' sor mechanism ha". ine; a sh oi? sa] Kinder-con is -ca'onil shaft adapted to drive and be driuca by shaft, a tank conniaifted to said mecha a valve in said connection from the tank io said mecl'ianisai for admittinf air lo the iatter to operate it as a cmapomai 1 for opcratir '1, valu to :limit air ir said tank *c ail cyiindeis of van mcciiani to operate the latier as a si; @wie mmc-iw all cylinders exhai'stingi to ila: means for connertinr nid #hat taneous rotation in the means for connecting rits tliroiigi speed-reducin; for .miiianrous to tation in oppcite d cr-Hons; f-nbstantialiy as dcscriiawi.

1l. A starter i'or internal combiistion encomprisinaY the combination of a umilicylinder, cmiveriiiblc niot'ir compressor mechanism, a tank connected thereto, a valve in the. connection troni said mechanism to the tank, a sha it comieeicd to said mechanism and adapted 'to drive and be driven by it and pneamaticaliv actuated devices for changing said, mechanism, ivi/.cn operating; as a motor, *from a. compound motor to a simple motor; substantially as described.

1Q.. A starter for intcrnai comlnistion engincs comprisingn the combination of a multi- A action. and

cylinder, convertible motor-,compressor mechanism, a tank connected thereto, a valve in the connection from said mechanism to the tank, a shaft connected to said mecha:-V nism and adapted to drive and be driven by it. and means actuated by movement of the movable member of said valve for changing said mechanism, when operating as a, motor, from a compound motor to a simple motorl and ice Yfarsa; substantially as described.

i3. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a multicylinder, convertible motorcompressor mechanism. a tank connected thereto, a valve in the connection from said mechanism to the tank. a shaft connected to said mecha,- nisin and adapted to drive and be driven by it, means actuated by movement of the movabbl member ol said valve for connecting the 1 ai; to said mechanism to operate the latter as a iii-fitta. and means actuated by movement ol' said member, While holding the Connection 'from the tank to said mechanism open, (for changing said mechanism from a, compound motor to a simple motor; substantially as described.

'14. A starter for internal combustion engines eomifn'ising the combination of a multi'- cylinder, convertible motor-compressor ineclmnism ha ving a shaft, a second shaft ada pied to drive and be driven by said shaft, a tank connected to said mechanism, a valve in the connection from the tank t0 said fr vivai 'sim pneumaticaliy actuated devices 1li causing said mechanism, when operating :is a motor, to operate as a simpley motor or as a 'compound motor at will, means for Connecting aaid shafts for simultaneous rotation in the saine direction and means for connectinf,V said shafts through speed-reducing gearin@r for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions; substantially as described.

l5. A starter for internal combustion enrnes comprisingr the combination of a multicylinder, convertible motor-com ressor meel'ianism having a shaft, a secon shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, a tank connected to said mechanism, a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism, means actuated by movement ol'V the movable member of said valve for causing said mechanism to operate as a simple motor or as a compound motor at will, means for connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation in the same direction and means forV connecting said sha-its through speed-reducing gearing for simultaneous operation in opposite directions; substantially as described.

lo. A starter for internal combustion en- ;g'incs comprising the combination of a multicylinder, convertible mechanism having a, shaft, a second shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shalt, a tank connected to said mechanism,

a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism, means actuated by movement of the movable member of the valve for connecting the tank to said mechanism to operate the latter as a motor, means actuated by movement of said valve-member While holding the connection from the tank to said mechanism open for causing said mechanism to operate as a simple motor or as a compound motor at will, means for connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation in the same direction and means for connecting said shaftsl through speed-reducing gearing for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions; substantially as dcscribed.

17. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a multi-cylinder, convertible motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft, a second shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, a tank connected to said mechanism, a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism, means actuated by movement of the movable member of said valve for causing said mechanism to operate as a simple motor by admitting air from the tank to all cylinders of the mechanism and exhausting the air from all the cylinders to the atmosphere or to operate as a compound motor at will, means for connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation in the same direction and means for connccting said shafts through speed-reducing gearing for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions; substantially as described.

18. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a multi-cylinder, convertible motor-connpressor mechanism, tank connected thereto, a shaft adapted to be connected to said mechanism to drive and be driven by it, a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism, me'ans actuated by movement of the movable member of said valve for admitting air from the tank to said mechanism to operate the latter as a motor and means actuated by movement of said movable valve-member, while holding the connection from the tank to said mechanism open, for operatmg said mechanism as a compound motor or for operating it as a simple motor by admitting air from the tank to all cylinders of the mechanism and exhausting the air from all of the cylinders to the atmosphere; substantially as described.

19. ,i starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a convertible motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft which rotates in one direction when said mechanism is operating as a motor' and in the opposite direction when Said mechanism is operating as a compressor, a tank connected to said mechanism, a second shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, means for connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation in the same direction, means for connecting said shafts through speed-reducing gearing for rotation in opposite directions and pneumatically controlled devices for actuating one or the other of said means at will to establish the desired connection; substantially as described.

20.' A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a convertible motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft which rotates in one direction when said mechanism is operated as a motor and in the opposite direction when said mechanism is operated as a compressor, a second shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, means for connecting said shafts for simultaneous rotation in the same direction, means for connecting said shafts through speed-reducing gearing for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions, a tank, a conduit leading from the tank to said mechanism, ay valve in said conduit, and pneumatically-controlled means operated by movement of the movable member of said valve for making one or the other of said connecting means operable at will; substantially as described.

21. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a multi cylinder, convertible motor compressor mechanism having a shaft, a second shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, means for connecting said shafts,- a tank connected to said mechanism, a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism, means actuated by movement of the movable member of the valve for operating said mechanism as a compressor, as a simple motor or as a compound motor, and means operated by movement of the movable member of the valve for actuating said connecting means; substantially as described.

22. A starter for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a multi-cylinder, convertible motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft :a '7; :rnd shaft adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, means for connecting said shafts, a tank connected to said mechanism. a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism, means actuated by movement of the movable member of the valve for operating said mechanism as a compressor, as a simple motor or as a compound motor, and pneumatic means actuated by movement of the movable member of said valve for operating said connecting means to cause said shafts to rotate in the same direction at the same speed or to rotate in opposite directions at different speeds; substantially as described.

23. A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a convertible, motorcompressor mechanism having a shaft, a second shaft adapted to drive and -be driven by said shaft, connect-- ing gearing between said shafts, a tank, a connection from the tank to said mechanism, a valve in said connection having a movable member movable to two positions for operating said mechanism as a motor and as a v compressor, a pneumatic controller for said directions, one of said connecting gearing, means actuated by movement of the movable member of the valve to the position for operating said mechanism as a motor for connecting said tank to said controller and means actuated by movement of the movable member of the valve to a. position for operating said mechanism as a compressor for disconnecting said tank from said controller; substantially as described.

24. A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a convertible, motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft, a second shaft, means for connecting said shafts for rotation in the same direction, means for connecting said shafts for rotation in opposite directions, one of said connecting means including speed-reducing geaxing, a tank connected to said mechanism, a valve in the connection from the tank to said mechanism having a valve-member movable, into position for operating said mechanism motor and into position for operating said mechanism as a compressor, and means controlled by move ment of said valveancmber to one or the other of its two positions for causing one or the other of said connecting means to become operative; substantially as described.

25. A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a compound, convertible motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft, a second shaft, means for connecting said shafts for rotation in the same direction, means for connecting said shafts for rotation in opposite means in eluding speed-reducing geavmg, a tank, a. connection from thc tank to saidmechanism, a valve therein having a val ve-m embcr moi able to position for operating said mechanism as a motor and. to position for operating said mechanism as compressor, means controlled by movement of said valve-member to one or the other of said two positions for causing one or the other of said connecting means to bec mie operative, and means controlled by the position of said valvemember for operating said mechanism as a motor either simple or compound; sub stantially as described.

26. A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a. convertible, motorccmpressor mechanism connecting having a shaft, a tank, a connection from the tank to said mechanism, a master-valve in said connection, a rotary member adapted to drive and bedriven by the shaft of said mechanism, means controlled by the mastervalve for connecting said mechanism to said tank to compress and store air in the tank and for simultaneously connecting said shaft and said rotary member for simultaneous rotation in the same direction, and means controlled by said master-valve for connecting said tank to said mechanism to operate the mechanism as a motor and for simulta neously connecting said shaft to said rotary member through a speed-reducing and vreversinggear; substantially as described.

27. A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the combination of a multi-cylinder, convertible motor-compressor mechanism having a shaft, a tank, a connection from the tank to said mechanism, a masterwalve in said connection, rotary member adapted to drive and be driven by said shaft, means controlled by the position of said master-valve for connecting the tank to said mechanism to receive air therefrom and for simultaneously connecting said shaft and said rotary member for simultaneous rotation in the same direction, means controlled by the position of said mastervalve for connecting the tank to said mechanism to supply air to the mechanism and for simultaneously connecting said shaft and said rotary member through a speed-reducing and reversing gear, and vmeans con- 100 trolled by the position of the master-valve for supplying air from the tank to all of the cylinders of said mechanism for operation of the mechanism as a simple motor or for supplying air to certain of the cylinders 105 and causing it to pass from them to other cylinders for operation of the mechanism as a compound motor; substantially as described.

28. A starter for an internal combustion 110 engine comprising the combination of a multi-cylinder, convertible motor-compressor mechanism, a shaft adapted to drive and be driven by the same, a tank connected to said mechanism, and a master-valve in 115 the connection from the tank to said mechanism movable to a position for operationmf said mechanism as a compressor, to a position for operation of said mechanism as a compound motor and to a position for 0p- 120 eration of said mechanism as a simple motor; substantially as described.

A starter for an internal combustion engine comprising the lcombination of a multi-cylinder, convertible motor-compres-c ser mechanism, a shaftadapted to drive and be driven by the same, a tank connected to said mechanism, e master-valve in the y,connection from the tank to said mechanism movable to a position for operation of said 130 ,y mechanism as a Compressor, to a position for 1n testimony whereof I have signed my operation of'said mechanism as a compound name to this specification in thn presence of 10 motorjalld to a position 1for operation of the two subscribing Witnesses.

Y saidfmec anism as a simp e motor, conneci t v I 5 tion's between said mechanism and said shaft GREGORY JOHN SPOHRER' ,t gud means for actuating said connections Vitnesses:

i under the control of said master-valve; sub- EVERARD B. MARSHALL,

vStatntally as described. GEORGE H. EMSLIE. 

